MLL All-Star Game: Devitte's 'Freestyle' Grades

The freestyle competition at the Major League Lacrosse All-Star game is always a highlight of the weekend. Kyle Devitte gives his grades.

Stephen Berger

Not quite sure what Berger’s first trick was trying to accomplish. The star drill the old school players ran before the game was more impressive than all the passes and BTB shots that the Charlotte Hound tossed into the net. Was it creative? Sure. Was it good? No.

Grade: B+ effort with a C- execution.

Berger’s second trick had a little more tooth to it. Before the trick shot competition even began I did notice Kevin Buchanan lying on the ground next to Berger’s helmet. He was eyeing it so…intensely that it crossed my mind to ask him what — exactly — he was planning on doing with it. But I didn’t. I’m glad I didn’t. What followed was Buchanan – disguised as Berger, clad in both his jersey and his helmet, pulled off a mundane trick that wouldn’t even be clapped at by someone with a dozen mosquitoes flying between their hands. Then came the purple man. The real Berger dressed head to toe in a purple body suit, chased by a gaggle of gym-phobic security guards scored a spectacular diving goal and swam in the grass after he landed. Only then did Buchanan reveal himself as a Berger imposter to the delight of the crowd as the real Berger struggled to unzip himself from his children’s nightmare body armor.

Grade: Creativity: A+ Execution: A

Jovan Miller

If we’re talking about technically proficient tricks, we’re talking about Jovan Miller’s first shot — a behind-the-back 360 Air Gait [respect] that was the height of Valhallan hubris. It was so ambitious that Mr. Miller missed the first attempt. He missed it so badly that it seemed almost too lofty a goal. But he stuck it on the second try and what a sight it was.

Grade: A

The second trick — leaping over Charlotte Hounds President/managing partner Jim McPhillliamy’s daughter — was so ridiculously precarious that all I could think of was “Please do not kick that poor girl in the face. Seriously. Please do not kick that poor girl in the face, Jovan…” This was another trick that needed two tries, but again, technical proficiency won out. Smooth execution and understated swagger. Also, no cleats in a little girls face - this cannot be over-stated.

Grade: B-

Chazz Woodson

Let’s be real. If Chazz pulled his first trick shot off in a game it would be the greatest trick shot of all time. Hands, pants, heads down on the desk for a nap. The crazy thing is, Chazz could probably pull that trick off in a game and people would be like “Oh, that’s just Chazz being Chazz. Whatevs.” It undermined the execution a bit and perhaps the expectations of performing a mind-altering illusion were too high. Still, Chazz’s initial offering showcased his ability to elevate and devastate.

Grade: B

Chazz’s second trick was essentially a rehash of his first trick, so it’s effectiveness was a bit muted in comparison. Still, on second glance it was a bit harder and there was more rotation in the body and more stick control was required. The Machine attackman probably could have pumped the crowd for some more applause, but that’s not his style. He lets his play speak for him. This play spoke at an above-average decibel rating.

Grade: B+ (There is no curve, obviously)

Brett Queener

My notes for Queener’s first trick consist of the letter “D” circled 4-5 times. It was a lot of dropped balls and weird contorted faces, but that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michaelangelo t-shirt was exquisite. It earns him a “plus” aside the otherwise piteous grade of “D”.

Grade: D+

The most mercurial of goalie’s second trick was spectacular on initial view, but even at the time it struck me as strange. The first move that resulted in a dropped ball on the first trick – tossing the ball up and 360 spinning back to no-look catch it – was actually pulled off in this attempt. Couple that with the multiple fakes and the brazen finish, kicking the stick into the net resulting in the ball rolling past the line was enough to win the competition for Queener. Sometimes it really is better to be lucky than good, but in this case it’s even better to be a consummate showman.